Tired and Stressed? Try These 3 Tips to Help You Get the Sleep You Need

When I was younger, I had some pretty serious issues with insomnia. Some nights, I’d drift quickly and easily off to sleep without a second thought. Other nights, I’d find myself tossing and turning for hours on end, finally falling into a light doze only to suddenly wake up unsure if I’d ever been asleep at all.

For the most part, the fun and exhaustion of children solved my issues with insomnia. After a long day of running after my boys, I’m sometimes lucky to make it into bed with my eyes still open! But there are still occasional days when the insomnia takes over again. And when that happens, these are the three tips I’ve discovered over the years that help me get the rest I need!

Find a Mantra

One of the best techniques I’ve discovered for those nights when I’m feeling tired but can’t quite make the jump from sleepy to actually asleep is repeating an easy mantra in my head while doing some deep breathing. Often, it’s a phrase as simple as “I’m falling asleep, I’m falling asleep,” repeated over and over as I take each breath. Within ten minutes, I’ll usually be fast asleep. And as an added bonus, I’ve found that adding a motivating goal to my mantra (such as plans to exercise or catch up on work) helps me tackle that goal with more energy the next morning!

Try a Herbal Solution

I first learned about the relaxing properties of lavender when I was given a live lavender plant for my garden a decade ago. When the fragrant flowers were in bloom, the scent was instantly soothing and one I couldn’t get enough of. For mild bouts of wakefulness, I keep a small bundle of dried lavender beside the bed so the scent can help relax my body and mind. If I’m dealing with more stubborn stress-related sleep problems, I turn to Pharmaton® Sleep Harmony™. This natural sleep aid contains lavender oil to help calm racing thoughts and improve quality of sleep in those with mild mental stress. And since it’s not habit-forming, it’s ideal for especially stressful times in my life when I might need a little help sleeping! (To make sure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label.)

Keep It Cool

I am one of those people that absolutely hates being cold. I would rather be sweating for hours in the blazing sunshine than have to deal with even a few minutes of slight chilliness on a cool day, and I will pile blankets and sweaters around me the second my toes get a little cold. Except, that is, when it comes to sleeping. My husband is the one that first helped me discover the benefits of a cool room at bedtime. After a few nights of him turning down the heat before bed, I realized that I was falling asleep faster and sleeping more soundly. Now, I notice almost immediately when the bedroom is too warm to suit me, and adjusting the temperature is often all I need to drift off to sleep.

Whether you suffer from occasional sleepless nights like I do or more persistent insomnia, SleepHarmony.ca has some great tips that may just help you get the sleep you’ve been craving. Check out the website for sleep advice and info on why Pharmaton® Sleep Harmony™’s natural formula could be the perfect solution for your sleeplessness!

I must admit that I was a little surprised to realize how much of a difference a few small changes could make when it came to getting a good night’s sleep. Making the bedroom a few degrees colder is such a minimal action that I almost couldn’t believe how effective the results were. Similarly, a single cup of coffee in the afternoon sometimes causes a major upset to my sleep schedule come bedtime. But with a little planning, my insomnia has pretty much become a thing of the past. And with my active kids and crazy lifestyle, that’s a very good thing!

I’m the opposite of you. I hate the heat during the day and would much rather the cold, except when I’m sleeping. Then I want to be cozy and warm. I have learned a deep breathing technique that has made falling asleep much easier for me.

Thanks very much for the great tips! I do have nights when I can’t clear the thoughts out of my head, so can’t get to sleep. We do keep our bedroom cooler and find that helps, but I haven’t tried the dried lavender yet.